BOARD POLICY - 1250
The Board of Education of the Irvine Unified School District recognizes that the courts have held that individuals have a right to engage in activities protected by the First Amendment, including political campaigning. However, the courts have recognized that, due to the unique nature and mission of the public schools, the right to engage in such activities on school district property is limited.
Therefore, on any day designated as an election day by local, state, or Federal law members of the public may not engage in political activities or political campaigning within the boundaries of the public school designated by the school principal.
Each principal shall designate an area on the perimeter of the public school where activities protected by the First Amendment may be engaged in, and where persons engaging in these protected activities will have access to persons entering and exiting the school. However, persons involved in these protected activities shall not obstruct or block persons wishing to enter and exit the school.
Should declared candidates for political office be invited to a school or district sponsored event to discuss campaign issues, all such candidates for that office shall be invited.
This policy shall not apply to political campaign activity associated with student body or other local school elections.
Legal Reference:
Perrv Education Association v. Perrv Local Educators Association, 40 U.S. 37, 103 S.Ct. 948 (1983);
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 108 S.Ct. 562 (1988). Carreras v. Citv of Anaheim, 786 F.2d 1039 (9th Cir. 1985);
Education Code Section 7055.
Policy Adopted: October 20, 1992
Policy Revised: April 6, 2004
See Also: